Villanova Curling Club

ABOUT US...

Every Saturday afternoon, a group of enthusiastic Villanova curlers ventures out to the Philadelphia Curling Club in Paoli, Pennsylvania, for 2 to 4 hours of curling instruction, practice, and EXTREME CURLING matches. We are currently gearing up for the upcoming season which starts in late October when the ice freezes at the club, and continues through late March.

Don't worry... this year plans on being BIGGER... COLDER... and more EPIC than ever! ...so stay tuned for details!

As of the 2008-9 school year, the VCC has 25 full time members and well over 100 interested students on our club email. Our numbers are constantly growing as word is being spread about us like wild fire...or perhaps like frost on a grassy field. The campus is now being inundated with our sweet t-shirts and new athletic jackets. Everyone from teachers to janitors have asked the same question "Villanova has a curling club? Can I try!?" ~ Answer ... Absolutely.

OUR HISTORY...

Long, long ago... in a galaxy far, far away... a dream lifted the eyes of Villanovans everywhere. They gathered around 8 large stones and decided there must be a club to host this misunderstood sport of curling. Thus in 2007, the Villanova Curling Club took root and their quest to create Olympic athletes commenced.

Led by founders Erik Sheets and Laura Hallisey (she came in 4th at the U.S. Nationals in 2009 - 3 games from being in the Olympics), a motley crew of newbs began an experiment, and they made many... many mistakes. But when the nay sayers were about to say nay, and the fat lady cleared her throat, the team found that curling wasn't just a game anymore. They stumbled upon a state of mind and a lifestyle that separated them from their everyday mundane college lives. Yes, it was curling that lifted their dreams, shedding light on the weekend once again. No longer afraid of being nerds or labeled "un-athletic", Villanova's curlers filled those who've never tried curling with jealousy.

Timeline...

The 2007-2008 scholastic year marked the Curling Club's Inaugural Season, and it had already attracted attention from students and teachers from all parts of campus life with about 10 members. The team's first competition saw Villanova placing 7th (of 12) in the College Regional Bonspiel (tournament in curling words), held in Boston, MA at Broomstones Curling Club. With a record of 3-1, the team felt that they could have beaten most other teams there though. Some videos of the event can be seen on our Video page and on our FaceBook page.

The 2008-2009 season marked many milestones for VCC. The club grew quickly, reaching 25 fully-committed members as well as competing in in 3 major events. Practicing with UPenn week in and week out instigated the advent of the Philadelphia College Classic, a "friendly" bonspiel between Villanova's Curling Club and ARCHRIVAL UPenn's Curling Team. Villanova took the title of the inaugural tournament this year, upsetting the UPenn team in a series of intense matches coming from behind after the first weekend.

2009 also took the club to Chicago, IL, for the National College Curling Championships. With the A team in Division III (of IV), they took an early loss to Bowling Green B, but defeated Bowling Green C and Northwestern GS-C (graduate students) to sneak into the bronze medal match after winning in a second tie breaker to break the first tie breaker's tie score. Keep in mind that Bowling Green has 4 sheets of dedicated ice on campus and the event was on Northwestern's home ice. In the biggest curling match in Villanova history, VCC took down another Northwestern GS-B team to earn the Bronze. The Villanova B team went 0-3 obliterating every other team in D-IV in the enthusiasm category.

VCC participated in the 2009 24-hour Curlathon for the charity of teenage curler turned paraplegic Jeff Harris. Curling in the 5am slot, the "night" was a highlight for all participants. By daybreak, all collapsed with giant smiles (that's what curling can do to you).

2009 Most Improved Club Sport of the Year - the award was presented to VCC in May for the impressive progression and organization of the club. Thanks goes to all curlers and enthusiasts for their patronage.